FEBRUARY 2000

THE YEW TREE & THE MOSCOW EMBASSY

Princess Anne opened the new British Embassy in Moscow in Feb 2000. The architect was Richard Burton of Ahrends, Burton & Koralek, well known for the striking modernist designs.

On this project Richard Burton was able to marshal the talents of a huge array of artists including Alex Beleschenko, Norman Ackroyd and Tess Jaray, and designers including Robin Day, Fred Scott, Ashley Cartwright, Helen Yardley, Christopher Farr, Matthew Hilton, and Ron Arad.

Luke Hughes & Co Ltd developed and made some of the architect's original concepts for the furniture in the Ambassador's office together with other pieces for the Chancellor's office, the reception area and some private apartments.

The reception area displays a 6-metre high etching, in copper, by the artist Norman Ackroyd RA of Old Wardour Castle, a 14th century ruin by a lake, situated near the Wiltshire/ Dorset border. By coincidence, a large 200-year old yew tree, one of twelve depicted in the etching, was blown in the storm of 1987.

Luke explained, 'The tree had too many defects to have any commercial value, but I suggested to English Heritage (who maintain the site) that I might tidy up the tree in exchange for the timber. Since yew is notoriously difficult to work and has high wastage, the boards lay idle in the warehouse for more than ten years, waiting for an appropriate use. When I saw the Akroyd's original maquette in Richard's office, I immediately recognised the setting. The coincidence was too remarkable. If ever there was an appropriate use, this was it'.

So now, all visitors to the embassy are greeted with an image of Wardour in the reception area, and when shown into the ambassador's office, make tangible contact with that same corner of rural England.

© Luke Hughes & Company, February 2000